Three King's win Gold for England

THREE members of staff from King’s College, Taunton, Clare Hayes, Sara Similien and Jonty Lawford have returned to school after winning gold medals playing representative hockey for England.

Three members of staff from King’s College, Taunton, Clare Hayes, Sara Similien and Jonty Lawford have returned to school after winning gold medals playing representative hockey for England.

None of the trio are strangers to playing at this level, having gone through the trial stages to take part in previous national level competitions. Clare won a silver medal in the 2015 Masters World Cup in Australia, playing in the Over 40s tournament.

Clare, who is Director of Hockey at King’s was playing for the England Over 45s in the Home Nations tournament that took place at Southgate Hockey Club in London last month. England won the gold after beating Ireland 2-1, Scotland 2-0 and Wales 2-0.

In July Clare will be playing in the European Championships in Rotterdam.

Sara Similien, who is Head of Academic PE and Girls’ Games, also won gold playing for the England Over 40s in the same tournament at Southgate. The England Over 40s drew 1-1 with Ireland 1-1, they beat Scotland 10-0 and defeated Wales 2-1.

Sara will be also be playing for the England over 40s in the European Championships in Rotterdam in July.

Deputy Headmaster (Academic), Jonty, won his gold medal for England in the Over 45 Masters Hockey Home Nations tournament at the Scottish National Hockey Centre, Glasgow. England started with a 6-0 victory over Ireland followed by a 9-0 triumph against Wales. The final match was against Scotland who had also beaten the other two. England led 2-0 before Scotland equalised and the game eventually ended in a 3-3 draw. England had a superior goal difference which meant that they were crowned champions.

England Masters also now go forward to the European Championships in Rotterdam later this month.

In addition to the players, Lawford, sports coach at King’s, Dave Jessop, managed the England Masters Over 45s the team to their victory.

Phil Lewis, Director of Sport at King’s said: “It is wonderful to have staff like Clare, Sara and Jonty at King's playing at such a high level. They not only help coach our games programme with a huge amount of knowledge and experience but they also provide excellent role models to our pupils.

He added: “ Our mantra in the sports department is to inspire pupils to play sport for life. Former teacher and housemaster, Dave Cole, recently represented Wales in the O60 team at the European Championships, finishing 6th overall – more proof that you can continue to play sport whatever your age! Seeing staff play and coach at this level really is inspirational for our pupils."